Watch Abbott & Costello Colgate Comedy Hour

The Abbott & Costello Colgate Comedy Hour was a popular radio and television program that aired from 1950 to 1955. The show starred comedy duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, along with a rotating cast of guests, including the legendary comic actor Eddie Cantor. The show was sponsored by the Colgate-Palmolive Company and featured a mix of comedy sketches, musical performances, and celebrity appearances. The program was filmed in front of a live studio audience and was broadcast on NBC on Sunday nights.

One of the most memorable aspects of the Abbott & Costello Colgate Comedy Hour was the chemistry between Abbott and Costello themselves. The two had been performing together since the 1930s, honing their timing and delivery to a razor-sharp edge. On the show, they would often perform comedy routines that had become classics, such as "Who's On First?" and "The Lemon Bit."

In addition to Abbott and Costello, the show featured a number of regular performers, including Sid Fields, Gordon Jones, Hillary Brooke, and Joe Besser. Each week, these performers would join Abbott and Costello in a variety of skits and sketches, adding to the overall zaniness of the proceedings.

One of the highlights of the show was the many celebrity guests who would drop by to join in the fun. Over the course of the show's run, guests included such luminaries as Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Milton Berle, and Joan Crawford. These appearances helped to boost the program's popularity and helped to establish Abbott and Costello as true icons of American comedy.

Eddie Cantor was a frequent guest on the show, appearing in a number of comedy sketches and musical numbers. Cantor had long been one of the country's most popular entertainers, known for his quick wit and his ability to keep audiences laughing.

On the Abbott & Costello Colgate Comedy Hour, Cantor would often perform classic songs from his repertoire, such as "Makin' Whoopee" and "If You Knew Susie." He also participated in a number of skits with Abbott and Costello, showing off his comedic chops and his improv skills.

One of the most memorable episodes of the show was the "Hertz U-Drive It" sketch, which featured Abbott and Costello trying to rent a car from Cantor. The sketch features a number of classic gags, including one involving a deaf-mute attendant who can't understand what Abbott and Costello are saying.

Overall, the Abbott & Costello Colgate Comedy Hour was a landmark program that helped to define American comedy in the 1950s. The show's blend of slapstick humor and witty banter helped to make it a favorite among viewers, while its roster of celebrity guests ensured that each episode was packed with star power. And with Eddie Cantor as one of its most frequent guests, the show managed to capture the essence of classic American entertainment.